"It's a mess! The Ryoka are everywhere!"

"Oh yeah? You seen one?"

"No ...no ...but I head that the vice-captain for Squad 6 died!"

"Abarai? Naw. The 4th seat heard he's in jail, that's why he's not at the medical barracks."

"Seriously? For what? Losing?"

"I guess. That Captain Kuchiki is a hard ass."

"SHHHH! I wouldn't say that too loud."

"Why? How's he going to hear me? The captains have all been pulled into that emergency meeting with the Captain-Commander."

"True. Oh wait, I did hear something interesting. Matsumoto? Pregnant."

"Rangiku? That Matsumoto? Pfft. Liar."

"Yeah? Well I was on the street yesterday and heard her shouting from the rooftops about it."

"..."

"Not kidding."

"Wow. Just wow."

o.O.o.O.o.O

Captain Zaraki's hand absently closed and opened lightly upon the hilt of his zanpakuto all through the meeting. His one visible eye gleamed at the Head Captain's words.

All out war. Permission to use his weapon fully within the Seireitei. Kenpachi sneered, energy fairly thrumming through his system.

He wanted this fight. He damned well needed this fight!

And he'd probably fucking kill any other member of the Gotei 13 who tried to fight the strongest Ryoka before him.

His dark eyed gaze slid to the side. Fucking Byakuya Kuchiki. He looked so calm, so even keeled. Not like he was dying on the inside if he didn't get to battle someone worthy soon. Kenpachi's eyes slid further down the line of captains, stopping at the serene look of one in particular.

Captain Unohana's dark-gray eyes suddenly turned and caught him staring at her. His grin turned feral.

His. All of it. The fight. The strength. Her. The baby. Baby. Shit. Father. What the hell did he know about being a father? Suddenly his left shoulder itched and he relaxed slightly. Fatherhood. He hadn't known how to take care of Yachiru either, and she'd turned out fine though he'd never considered her like a daughter. It was actually hard to think of a word that defined his relationship with Yachiru. Family, sure. But not parent and child, not really. Still. She'd been little more than a baby when they'd first met. So he could do this. Yeah. Piece of cake.

Course Retsu would probably have something to say in raising the tyke. No problem. He'd leave all of that crap to her, best thing to do actually.

"Captain Zaraki?" The tone was a question demanding an immediate response.

Kenpachi turned a lazy look onto the Head Captain, then he deliberately yawned and shrugged.

Yamamoto sighed, as if sensing his Division Eleven leader hadn't been paying the slightest attention. "Your vote on removing the vice-captain as presented?"

Which vice-captain? Kenpachi really had no clue what had been discussed. He sneered. "Whatever Captain Kuchiki voted? I vote the opposite."

Byakuya gave the smallest whiff of a sigh and briefly closed his eyes. "Idiot, I didn't vote. I petitioned for Abarai's removal."

Renji Abarai? A man personally trained to fight by he and Ikkaku? "Then my vote stands." Kenpachi sneered.

"That's not good enough a reason." Captain Aizen spoke calmly. "Though I also vote to turn down this petition. Lieutenant Abarai is a good man and a good vice-captain."

"I abstain. I don't care in the slightest." Captain Kurotsuchi rolled his shoulders lazily. "I have things to get back to that are more important."

The Head Captain nodded. "Captain Kuchiki, you do not have sufficient support and votes to carry your petition. It fails. Lieutenant Abarai will retain his position in the Gotei 13 upon his recovery."

Retsu cast her eyes down genteelly. "He will make a full recovery according to my medics. Thankfully he had quick attention to his injuries."

Her artful stress on the timeliness of the request for medical aid was lost on no one. Captain Kuchiki had denied the need for assistance and had cast his lieutenant into a jail cell without fanfare. Of all persons, it had been Gin Ichimaru who had initiated the request for medical treatment.

"DISMISSED!" The Head Captain announced, then jabbed an imperious finger at Captain Hitsugaya. The youngest of the thirteen captains nodded, and lingered behind though others still remained in the area attending smaller matters.

"Head Commander." The silver-haired youth gave a respectful and correct nod of his head.

"Captain." Yamamoto acknowledged quietly. "There are a lot of rumors going around right now. Some surrounds your own subordinate vice-captain."

Startled, Toshiro shook his head and pressed his lips together. "I have heard the spread of rumor. It is not true. My lieutenant is not pregnant."

The wrinkles around the Head Captain's eyes disappeared as his eyes widened in surprise. "I was talking about the grumblings of discontent regarding Central 46's decision to execute Rukia Kuchiki."

Toshiro ground his teeth for a moment, then gave a sharp nod. "Rangiku will abide by the rules, Head Captain. But I along with my vice-captain would ask how Kuchiki's crime can constitute a punishment such as ..."

The Head Captain held up one hand to still the question. "Central 46 is a collection of our wisest and best. Six judges and forty wise men. Your lieutenant was overheard speculating on why no woman were included in their numbers and how a woman might have a different perspective."

Toshiro nodded, but didn't comment beyond a bland, "that's been bandied about for longer than I've been a captain. And not just by Matsumoto."

Yamamoto's lips thinned. "Now is not the time for such questions. We are in the middle of an invasion, and I have just declared all out war. Inside the Seireitei! Inside our home! We need everyone's full support!"

Captain Hitsugaya nodded, though he still had his internal doubts. "I will speak to my lieutenant." Which was all he could promise.

"You will shut her mouth on this subject!" The Head Captain's voice dripped with severity.

Toshiro's eyes flashed, signaling his rising temper. Though he quickly shuttered his emotions as he glanced downward, hiding his expression. This was his Captain Commander after all.

"Although if she were to be pregnant, it would explain much." Yamamoto sighed, not unkindly. "Perhaps she should retire for the next several months."

The silver-haired warrior shook his head. "She is not pregnant. The rumors are stupid. Apparently Yachiru was asking pregnancy related questions and well ...rumors grow out of thin air sometimes."

The Head Captain silently nodded, his mind reeling as he dismissed the young captain. His eyes slid over to where Captain Unohana was speaking quietly with Captain Shunsui Kyoraku.

So. Yachiru was asking about pregnancy? "Yes, rumors out of thin air." He gave a weak smile. "That's the best news I've heard all day."

o.O.o.O.o.O

Retsu let herself into the house with a small sigh of relief. It felt like forever since she'd been home. But tonight seemed quiet, although the atmosphere in the Seireitei was thick with the feeling of impending violence.

No word on the Ryoka or their whereabouts. Renji and Ikkaku were both recovering, though the young red-head was still in a prisoner's cell. Retsu's mouth thinned.

Captain Kuchiki was acting strangely. Especially for a man about to lose a younger sister to execution. Still, he was following the rules even if it did make him seem cold.

There were no lights on in the house, but that didn't mean she was alone. Retsu's ability to sense spiritual signatures was better than that of her husband, who didn't care enough to practice in order to improve.

With a tired smile, she headed toward the bathhouse out back.

o.O.o.O.o.O

It was late when Kenpachi lifted his head from the edge of the bath where he was taking a long, hot soak. He opened his eyes, though only one could be seen due to his ever present eyepatch.

The heated water steamed pleasantly about him, even as he began to smile at the view being offered so generously. His beautiful wife, slowly letting her clothing slip from her body as she watched him back.

Once nude, Retsu folded her robes neatly and put them aside before dipping a toe in the heated water. He waited, but she didn't enter the bath to join him.

Kenpachi's mouth widened into a smile as he watched her swish her foot lazily into the bath. Her skin glowed creamily in the dim lighting, as he hadn't bothered to turn on more than a few lamps when he'd gotten home.

"Posing?" He teased.

"Baiting." She looked up at him and drew her foot out of the hot water. She turned her back to him, presenting him with the long line of her spine and the heart-shaped curve of her bare ass.

His heart rate increased as he licked his lips. "Get in here." He demanded roughly.

Retsu shook her head as her fingers slowly began to unbraid her long hair, exposing inch by tantalizing inch of her stomach and breasts.

"I want you." His voice dropped hoarsely.

His wife gave him a lingering look, and a secretive smile. "I want you." She responded. Then she let her hair settle behind her. He waited for her to pin it up so she could get in the water. He frowned as she walked toward the door of the bathhouse instead.

The large warrior frowned, his tingling body protesting as he sat forward. "It's been a long day and not one damned fight to show for it. I'm going back out hunting for the Ryoka tonight."

"You haven't slept in nearly twenty four hours." She pointed out, her hand on the door.

"So?" Kenpachi growled. "I'm fine. His gaze narrowed on her as she pushed open the door, exposing the covered walkway leading to the main house. "Get back in here!"

"No." She gave him a long look, his dark eyed gaze widening. "It's too hot for the baby. I can't get in there for more than ten minutes at a time."

"I can be fast." He growled his promise.

"Maybe I want more than fast." Retsu laughed at him, shaking her head. "And I'm not going to use the heated bath at all, not until I pass my sixth week of pregnancy. I don't want to risk losing the baby."

Kenpachi's mind stalled at the very thought.

His wife tilted her head slightly. "I know you like long, hot soaks. But I have a ton of food and a bed in the house. And I'll be there. Wearing this."

He watched her hand trail down her side, over the smooth bare skin and down over the curve of her hip.

Kenpachi grinned. "Baiting." He chuckled. "I get it."

"You will get it." Her voice promised him the world as she walked out the door. "And what was it you called out our first time? One and done?"

His grin widened as he waited, knowing he would not be disappointed.

"One what? Night? Day? Month? Week? Year?" Retsu laughed as she exited out the door toward the house. "One century?" She teased, then didn't even squeal with alarm when she didn't even make it halfway to the main part of the house.

Strong arms scooped her up and she silently curled into his embrace as he carried her into the house and into their bedroom. But instead of throwing her down on the bed as she'd half-way expected, he simply held her as he caught sight of the two of them in her full length mirror.

Retsu looked up into his face, then followed his gaze. Sexual heat bled out of his expression, his face turning thoughtful instead.

"Kenpachi?" She ran her hand up his arm to his shoulder. But he was still staring at the mirror, staring at the image of the two of them. She turned her head to look, trying to see what he was seeing there.

They were both nude. His body clearly showed that he wanted her. Her skin was pale, but flushed with desire as well. Kenpachi let her legs go but kept an arm around her as she found her feet, standing in front of him.

The large male turned her to stare at the mirror in front of them. He was head and shoulders taller than she, nearly dwarfing her.

"Kenpachi?" She started to turn around to face him, but his large hands settled on her hips, cupping them. Retsu stilled, her gaze going up to see his expression in the mirror. She'd never seen him look so lost in thought.

He didn't say anything, just let one of his large hands move over her skin from her hip to cover her still flat belly. She closed her eyes at the exquisite and yet highly possessive touch. Kenpachi's hand pressed her back toward him, and she could feel his body behind her.

"I have to go."

His roughly spoken words had her eyes popping open.

"There's a fight out there."

Retsu's heart sank even as she realized that she completely understood. She'd been the first Kenpachi after all. She knew the need to get out there, to have the blood boil, to face off against someone you were not assured of beating. "I thought you said you could be fast."

Kenpachi finally turned her, looking down into her face. "I thought you wanted something more than fast."

"Take it." She whispered, offering.

"After." He promised.

Retsu sighed. "It's the baby isn't it?" Was he seeing her differently now that she was carrying a child? She knew it sometimes happened with couples.

Kenpachi nodded, then shook his head negatively. "It's seeing you and me, and knowing we're not alone in here. You're not alone in your own skin."

"At least eat." She capitulated, reaching for a fresh robe. More than a little disappointed when he helped her slip it on, even tying it for her.

"Retsu, I need this fight." His words weren't an explanation or a request, they were a statement of truth.

His words caught at her heart and she nodded, trying not to feel jealous over what she knew was an intrinsic part of the man she loved. "You wouldn't be you otherwise. But you still need to eat."

Kenpachi chuckled and buried his head in the crook of her shoulder, right beneath her ear. His arms wrapped around her tightly and as he stood up to his full height, her feet left the ground.

It took a moment or two before he let her feet settle back onto the floor as he let her go. Retsu felt suddenly chilled as he moved to dressed quickly.

In her heart, she warned him to be careful, but she said nothing of that out loud. It would be an insult. She buried the words to caution him against those who would destroy the seat of spiritual pressure within a shinigami. It wouldn't deter him, and they both knew it.

She didn't tell him that she was waiting for test results on a cup of tea that had shown up in her office. She simply waited for him to finish dressing, flash her a grin and grab some fruit as he headed for the door.

"I'll be at the medical barracks."

Her words hadn't been designed to make him stop in the doorway, but they did. Kenpachi flashed her an irritated look. "You've been up and going for as long as I have."

She blinked at him, unsure where his reaction was coming from.

Kenpachi's frown deepened. "You're the one who is pregnant." He pointed out, as if she could simply forget.

Retsu simply stared at him, a bit surprised.

"You need to rest." He pointed toward the bedroom.

Now temper began to stir beneath the surface. "So do you." She said plainly. "And I know my limits, as well as you know yours."

Kenpachi growled and flashed his teeth. "Look. I need to be out there, but you? There have been no new injuries since night fell, you can rest. You need the rest."

"You're my husband, not my keeper. I'm not tired enough to sleep, I'm fine." Retsu let some of her irritation show through, besides she didn't want to admit that she didn't want to stay in the house alone. She'd rather be with others if she couldn't be with him. Not thinking about destroyed lives. Not thinking about saketsu chains being severed or someone's hakusui soul sleep being destroyed. Especially his.

Kenpachi glared at her and then was right in front of her face, his leer turning evil as he snarled at her. "You want me to make you sleepy? Fuck you until you can't move? Tuck you in and screw you into ..."

CRACK

Kenpachi reared back, staring down at his much shorter wife. She'd put enough spiritual pressure in her hand to actually make him feel that slap.

"We're all on edge." She bit out the words. "I wasn't 'baiting' you to make you too sleepy to go fight, or keep you from anything else. I just wanted you. I'm not trying to stop you from fighting. Don't belittle me or try and keep me from doing my own duties. You'll lose."

The large warrior knew he'd gone too far as he watched Retsu turn her back on him and march into their shared bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Kenpachi looked at the open front door, and then back at the closed bedroom door. "Damn it." He muttered.

He shut one door, but marched right through the other one. Retsu looked up, unsurprised that he'd followed her. He grinned as Retsu held up her regular work robes over her body. "First, you know me well enough to know that I don't fucking do apologies."

She glared at him.

He grinned back at her, holding out his hands palm up for a moment. "And you still love me."

Retsu didn't say a word at first, but then he just stood there with his arms crossing. Waiting. Finally she firmed her chin and gave a terse nod.

His muscles subtly relaxed, and seeing that made some of the cold in her bones start to melt away slowly.

"One and done." Kenpachi chuckled, running a hand over his face. "Yeah, we've moved way beyond that."

Warmth seeped into her dark-gray eyes as she watched him not apologize to her. Only he could make a non-apology feel like this.

"Medical barracks. Fine. I'll send the Ryoka there one by one, either alive or dead." He grinned at her.

Retsu shook her head lightly, but her temper seeped away slowly. "One and done." She whispered. "One night with you and my whole life changes."

His gaze sharpened on her, his mouth twitching upwards for a moment then he grinned outright at her. "You're the fool who fell in love with me."

"I am that." She mocked him lightly and without heat.

Kenpachi held out his hand to her. "Come on, I'll walk you to the medical barracks." Showing her he was willing to capitulate, if not actually apologize.

"I thought we were a couple in secret." Retsu finished dressing quickly.

The warrior shrugged. "We're not going to be able to keep that secret for much longer, not now that you're having a baby."

"We're having a baby." She corrected with a stern look.

He made a face, but nodded. "We're." He corrected himself. "Definitely we're."

Retsu nodded, but sent him on ahead to 'patrol' for the Ryoka. She excused herself as not needing an escort. "Besides, having you escort me like you need to protect me is not how I want to announce our relationship."

Kenpachi nodded and pulled her in for a quick and rough kiss before leaping out of the door and up to the rooftops.

All in search of that fight he so craved.

o.O.o.O.o.O

It had been a busy night at the medical barracks. But with no new injuries reported, thank goodness. Still, they'd had their hands full with the already injured and recovering.

Yet the Ryoka and their thrice damned invasion were not what was currently on her mind. Captain Unohana's face remained unreadable as she read the lab report over for the fourth time.

Nothing poisonous or harmful in her tea cup from yesterday. Not a thing. A simple blend of herbs. All innocent.

Except ... Retsu sighed. This blend of tea? Was specifically designed for women who were expecting. And no one knew of her pregnancy except for herself, her husband and her uncle. Her mind flashed to Yachiru shoving a cracker in her mouth. She frowned. The Eleventh Division's young lieutenant was definitely aware. Who else?

Her mind raced through the possibilities, but reached no conclusions as her thoughts were interruped by shouts of horror and disbelief racing through the medical barracks.

"He's dead! The captain is dead!"

"Pierced through, pinned like a bug on a wall!"

"Who could murder a captain like that? A Captain?! Are these Ryoka demons?"

"He can't be dead! Captain Unohana, come quickly! Please, please hurry!"

Retsu's heart stopped beating and her lungs started to burn. No expression crossed her face as she turned with devastating slowness. Captain? Death? Her mind flashed through the twelve other captains in the Gotei 13. What captain? Dead? What captain? What Captain? WHAT CAPTAIN?

Her mind screamed, but no sound escaped her throat.

There was a sound of boots running through her barracks, something she normally despised. All that was rendered irrelevant as a messenger burst into her office, eyes wild and horrified, pale and obviously in shock. "Murder, ma'am! We think he's dead. Please, please, we need you now. It's an emergency!"

The report on her mystery tea slipped from her cold fingers, lazily swaying back and forth as it fell to the floor at her feet.

Who? She couldn't ask. There was no air in her lungs. Bless Isane who'd come running at the first sounds of trouble. Her lieutenant spun the messenger around, her own voice hoarse with dread. "Who's injured?"

"Dead! Captain Aizen! Captain Aizen has been murdered!" The messenger had tears running down his pale cheeks.

Suddenly air swept back into her starving lungs. Joy filled her heart, it wasn't him. Her relief was followed quickly by shame at the very thought of someone else's death. "Show me." Was all she could say around the lump still lodged in her throat.

Captain Unohana collected her sanity and her self-discipline as she followed the messenger out the door, still ashamed that she felt so relieved that it was Aizen who was dead and not someone else.